Auto theft-preventing device



Jan. 15.1924. 1,480,735 R. 0. NELSON AUTO THEFT PREVENTING DEVICE FiledJuly 2 1923 II I" $ARES FoR IDENTIFICATION mznv oNEm ORABOUT THIS lMACHINE.

E :4. fi7-7 rzziprzior R. O. NELSON fly .Zzlrfllvorng Patented Jan.1553, 192 i.

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ROBERT 0. NELSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

AUTO THEFT-PBEVENTING DEVICE.

l Application filed July 27, 1923. Serial No. 654,243.

To all w ham it may concern.

Be it known that 1, ROBERT O. NELSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at San Francisco, in] the county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented certainnew and useful lmprovements in AutoTheft-Preventing Devices, of which the following is a specification. 1

This invention relates to theft-preventing means for motor vehicles, andthe main object isto provide a simple, efficient and practical devicefor preventing the running of a vehicle motor and for informing olficersand the public at large that an attempt is being made to steal the carwhen such an attempt is being made by an unauthorized person. Furtherand more specific objects will be disclosed in the course of thefollowing specification, the invention being disclosed in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fractional elevation of a motor car body showing theapplication of my invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the attached devicepartly in section and showing the sign plate in its extended position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section as seen on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 41 is an enlarged section as seen .on the line k4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the device as it appears upon the outside ofthe car.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters 6 designates a sheathor casing, being open at one end, which end is secured in a suitableaperture in the car body 7. The casing may be arranged in any desirableplace in the car, but is preferably secured under the windshield 8 andin back of the instrument or dash board of the car.

Slidably mounted in the casing 6 is a sign plate 9'on which is printedor otherwise impressed warning words of the character indicated in Fig.2. The outer end of the plate is provided with a handle 10, and theinner end is provided with an upwardly projecting integrally formed arm11. The upper edge of the plate is tubularly formed as at 12, and istherein provided with a rotatable rod 13,having alateral projection orarm 14; at its inner end. The outer end of the rod 13 is connected toand is rotated by a key operated lock 15 inserted in the upper end ofthe handle member 10.

The upper part of the casing 6 is enlarged by an inner channel portion16, to accommodate the arm 14 when it moves back and forth when in theposition indicated by dotted l ine 14 in Figs. 3 and 4. The ends of saidcasing part are also enlarged asat 1'7 and 18, so that when theplate 9and the rod. 13 are in either extreme positions the latter can berotated until the arm let is in eit'herof the two positions indicated inFigs.

1, 2, 3 and 4:. When locked in either of these two positions it is.obvious that the plate 9 can not be moved. i i

A spring 19 within the casing 6 co-acts against the plate 9, when thelatter is in its retracted or concealed position, and prevents the samefrom rattlingor vibrating within the casing. When the plate 9 isextended (as in Fig. 2) a similar spring 20 acts against the arm 11 ofthe plate for the same purpose. To take up all loose play and to furthereffect rigidity to the plate 9, I provide a bar 21 in the upper part ofthe casing and near the arm 11. This bar is provided withan angularextension 22 which is engaged by thearm 11 when the plate 9 is pulledoutinto its extended position. The other end of the bar 21 is springretained as at 23. Thus when the plate is exposed it is yieldinglyresisted by the spring 23 and 4 the bar 21, for the purpose abovementioned.

The bar 21 also functions as a circuit breaking means, it beingconnected by a link 24 to a switch lever 25, pivoted as at 26 in a smallswitch box 27. Ignition circuit wires 28 and 29, from the motor of thecar, are connected, one with the lever and the other to a terminal 30,which is touched by the lever 25, thus closing the circuit when the bar21 is in its left-hand position, which will be when the sign plate 9 isconcealed.

It will thus be readily understood that when the driver of the car is toleave the same and wishes to prevent tampering or stealing of the carwhen he is absent, he merely unlocks the lock 15 and pulls the plate 9out, thus breaking the ignition circuit and exposing the sign, in whichposition the parts are locked until he returns and restores the parts totheir normal and operative position.

It is further understood that suitable modifications may be made in thegeneral design and structuraldetails of the device as herein disclosed,provided, however, such modifications come. within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

Having now therefore fully shown and described my invention what I claimto be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent 1. The combinationwith a motor vehicle,

of a Sign plate movable from a concealed to spect to the casing, andspring means engageahle with the plate. when the latter is concealed toprevent vibration thereof.

3'. Av device of the class described consistingof a casing; a sign plateslidablymounted in the casing, a lock in the plateto' lock it inconcealed or extended positionswith respect 1 se Jets to thezcasing, andspring? means for engaging the plate to prevent vibration thereof whenin an extended position.

4. A device of the class described consisting of a casing, a sign plateslidably mounted in the casing, alock in the plate to lock it inconcealed or extended position with respect tothe casing, a circuitswitch, and means actuated by the plate to control said circuit switch.

5. A device of the character described consist-ingot a casing, the samebeing' open at one end, a sign plate slidable in the casing andextending through said end, a rod rotatable in the plate, said rodhavinganangular arm at its inner end and being rotatably controlled by a lockat its other end, and said casing'having recesses at the ends thereof toreceive the said rod arm.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT O. NELSQN;

